Colds and cases of flu are easier to prevent than to cure. We don’t want to rain on anyone’s parade, but let’s be honest – we don’t need a crystal ball or a horoscope to know that each and every one of us will catch at least one infection this year. After all, our bodies are attacked by more than 200 types of germs, mostly rhinoviruses, coronaviruses and adenoviruses. These microbes are so clever and mischievous that although we named them and learned to recognize them under a microscope, we are not much better prepared to fight them than our great-grandmothers and grandfathers were. Obviously, it is better to harden our immune systems against infections than to fight them once they get us. Still, every illness must be endured in bed, with our families tending to us with chicken soup and raspberry syrup. Which is why we have prepared a list of more (and less) traditional ways of fighting runny noses, coughs and aching joints.

Drink

Make sure you drink plenty of liquids, but not necessarily at boiling temperatures; there’s no need to burn your already damaged mucous membranes. Black tea with lemon and ginger or raspberry cordial, or linden blossom and willow bark infusions will soothe symptoms of rhinitis and inflammation of the mucous membrane. Indians recommend drinking hot milk with turmeric, ginger, honey and black pepper (which many people find more pleasant than the traditional Polish warm milk with butter and honey, often mixed with crushed garlic). The Chinese, however, find it beneficial to limit your dairy intake altogether. Just choose whatever your gut tells you.